Tuesday, March 4, 2014

INTERVIEW: Michael Mandrake & Sharita Lira and #Giveaway

Today we are talking to Michael Mandrake, muse to the FANTASTIC Sharita Lira, who, can I just say, really rocks that hat? Make sure you enter the Rafflecopter giveaway at the end of the interview!

Hello
Michael and welcome to The Hat Party <3 Thank you so
much for subjecting yourself to the RANDOMNESS that is a Raine O'Tierney
interview! Please don your best hat, and let's get started!

Mandrake
is the best last name ever. Don’t mind the period, that is a question! <3
Tell me all about your name.

Michael Mandrake
is the gay male muse of Sharita Lira. Though a fictional character himself, he
is quite real to the author. Shar is channeling the voice of Michael for this
interview. No straight jackets needed here!

SL:
Thank you Raine. *straightens hat and kicks muse* Ahem, well thanks. I thought the muse could
use a special name, something mischievous, unique. When I looked it up in the
surname it mentioned it appears to be English since the first recorded Mandrake
married in 1736 but they are references to it having French ties. And it’s the
name of an herb as well as a popular comic book villain. Unique indeed.

If
you could have a conversation with 13-year-old yourself right now, what would
you say to him?

SL:
My 13 year old self would say to start writing professionally from the
beginning. If only I would’ve started there and kept on that path, I might be
the next Ernest Hemingway…or not. *chuckles*
No seriously, I do wish I would’ve started writing to be published. Many odd
jobs could’ve been avoided in adulthood,

What
do you dream about, writing wise—deepest, most hidden writing goal! Nothing is
too big or too wild.

SL:
*muse’s eyes widen* To write the next
epic gay romance novel… no, okay… really to write a novel that is so unique and
different form anyone else. Is that even possible in today’s world? *Shar shakes head* Ah Sharita, oh ye of
little faith.

Your
thoughts on libraries: GO!

SL:
Love them and I wish more of them had Starbucks in them so we could sit there
and read books while drinking a tall latte or hot chocolate. In our case, hot
cocoa since it’s freezing in Chicago right now.

Describe
yourself using song lyrics.

SL:
Ooh song lyrics. *Shar moves Michael
over* Let me answer this one dear muse. I’d sing the words to Seal’s Crazy.
I believe it fits since I write under three names, right? *sings*

Oh Darling

In a sky full of
people only some want to fly

Isn’t that
crazy?

Oh Darling

In a sky full of
people only some want to fly

Isn’t that
crazy?

And
of course I’d add the chorus. We’re never
gonna survive unless, we get a little crazy.

To
me it means we need to have fun in order to live without truly losing our
minds. Okay Michael, you can have this interview back now. *Shar moves back over*

How
do you handle reviews? Would you rather have NO reviews ever or a slew of
stab-ya-in-the-gut negative reviews? (Not that EITHER of these will happen to
you!)

SL:
*Michael glares at Shar and straightens
tie* I’d have to say I’d take the negative reviews over none at all. As
long as these reviews are written in a constructive manner and not a malicious
attack on me or the said body I beling to, then bring them on. *Michael cocks an eyebrow* Besides,
often an author can learn from his or her negative reviews. It is however only
an opinion.

What
is your superpower? What is your Kryptonite?

SL:
Shar would say her super power is juggling 4 muses I’m sure. She said three
earlier because Veronica Bagby is new to the party but yes, she handles us a loot better these
days. We work her fingers to the bone I tell you and she tries her best to accommodate
us. She suffers when she doesn’t cater to our needs, believe me. *darts eyes at Shar* I’d have to say the
Kryptonite is Coca Cola for me and Shar!

You
have 200 words—Make. Me. Swoon. (PLEASE!)

SL:
Oh? Well let Shar handle this one. I’m the more stuffy muse so I’ll allow her
to give you a sexy scene. *Michael pulls
Shar back over*

Kajika leaned
back in the chair until his ponytail kissed the tiles. He rolled his neck
around until he faced Frankie once again, eyes wide, his lips pursed to be
kissed. He heaved in air and spread his legs, giving his lover a shot of his
rosy pucker, aching…waiting to be filled. Kajika’s breaths sped up in
anticipation of Frankie plunging his thick cock inside his tightness while he
raked those elongated fingers through his long strands. Kajika clenched his
thighs together, attempting to stop the impending explosion from occurring. His
groin quickly filling, he nibbled on his bottom lip and closed his eyes, moving
slowly to the sultry fuck me beat. Kajika put on this dance just for Frankie
and only Frankie to enjoy.

This
relationship was meant to be, just the two of them until the end of time. Kajika
wouldn’t let go of the notion that this man, Frankie Choteau was his soulmate,
his lover that would protect him for the rest of his days.

No one would
ever break that bond when fate brought them together from the start. What other
couple instantly fell in love at a crime scene? None that Kajika could think
of.

What
is one mistake you’ve made during your writing career that you’ve learned and
grown from?

SL:
*Shar pulls Michael back in* I know
Shar would say subbing longer stories from the beginning instead of writing
shorts. I however don’t believe it’s necessarily a mistake but that’s what the
head says. Actually Shar, we should say not thoroughly checking into publishers
before signing. Or rather the people who run them. *grimaces* It’s quite all
right though. We might never see a penny from a story I’ve now passed on to
sister BLMorticia but at least it has new life with a great publisher.

What
are you going to do to survive during the zombie apocalypse?

SL:
Survive? Why on earth would I want to do that? I believe it would be cool to be
a zombie don’t you? *smiles*

And
finally, for THE most important question of all: what kinds of dachshunds are
the BEST kinds of dachshunds?

SL:
Oh my, neither Shar or I are dog lovers. I’m sure you believe this is
blasphemous. We’re more of the cat sort but to be snarky I’d say the kind that
are well trained and don’t harm people. *winks*

Livin’ in N’awlins ain’t all that easy…

Kajika Fortier loves his job, the attention he gets from
onlookers, and Frankie Choteau. However, his new partner’s jealousy, mood
swings, and over protectiveness drives Kajika to the brink but at the same
time, excites him to no end.

To complicate things further, a murderer is on the loose
looking for blood. All three of the killer’s victims are strippers which not
only makes Frankie nervous about Kajika’s safety but leaves him questioning his
love for being a homicide detective. Coupled with the stresses of cold cases as
well as some fellow officers shunning him for coming out, Frankie is having
second thoughts about staying in New Orleans. Despite the encouragement from
Vance, Kenina, and Orrin as well as new chief Quinn Murray, Frankie is
wondering if his life’s passion really is to catch the killers.

Will the new couple survive these new issues that impede
their nearly perfect union? Or will the relationship fail, thus leaving Kajika
alone and a target for New Orleans latest serial killer? Detective Choteau and
Kajika’s commitment to one another is being tested in more ways than one and
they only have one another to lean on.

Except

“Babe?
Frankie?” Kajika’s voice snapped him out of his haze, and he rushed to the
living room to greet his man. The moment Frankie met the brown gaze of his
husband to be, his breath caught in his chest. He sure loved to look at the
beautiful man Kajika Fortier had always been.

“Hey,
sugah.” Frankie grabbed his arms and brought him in for a passionate kiss on
the lips. Just that sent a stir to his groin he knew he’d need to take care of
immediately. “How was work?”

Kajika
reciprocated the embrace. “Long.” He dropped his bag and kicked it over in
front of the closet. “I danced for almost forty minutes. Lana didn’t show up at
the club tonight. I tried calling her, but she didn’t pick up. I really wanted
to stop by but not without someone. I recall you telling me about the rash of
assaults in her neighborhood.”

Frankie
nodded and massaged his man’s shoulders. “I’m glad you didn’t go by there
alone, babe. Perhaps we’ll go check on her tomorrow afterour early dinner? Perhaps she was sick or something or her phone
ran out of juice.”

Kajika
agreed and wrapped his arms around Frankie’s waist. “I suppose.” Kajika’s
worried expression instantly transformed to a smile. “So, my man, what did you
do all day besides call and get me in trouble with everyone?”

“Who
me?” Frankie pointed to himself, and his eyes widened in surprise. “Nah, them
girls just jealous, that’s all, especially Naomi. I don’t know what’s taking
Orrin so long to ask her out on a formal date.”

“Me
neither.” Kajika clicked his teeth and leaned forward, taking a small bit of
Frankie’s bottom lip in between his own. “I mean, they looked like they’d hit
it off real well when we all got together at the club weeks ago. She said they
talk on the phone almost every weekend, but Orrin gets so busy at the station.”

Frankie
groaned and reached around his lover’s body, clenching his buttocks tightly
between his fingers. Surges of energy instantly shot to his groin and his
nipples in response to Kajika’s affections. “Yeah, well, I know all about that.
Still, he’s had a chance or two to just grab a bite with her or even a drink.
Perhaps now that Kenie’s back he can try asking her out.”

“Hopefully
so. My girl needs some dick, so she’ll stop snapping on me.” Kajika laughed,
moving forward into Frankie’s touches. He traced the lines of his face as well
as his newly trimmed mustache and beard.

“Well, enough about them. What’s on
the agenda for our first night alone in a while, hmm? I’m not real hungry…for
food, anyway. We had a quickie in the shower this morning−”

“Which
ain’t enough, lover.” Frankie gripped Kajika’s ass and lifted him from the
floor, licking his lips like a tasty treat. He flashed a wicked grin. “I’m
ready to go all night if we have to, sweetheart. I’ve been resting up for you
all damn day.”

Kajika
chuckled and shifted, wrapping his legs around Frankie’s waist. “Then show me,
babe. I’m not too tired to get it on into the wee hours, Frankie.” Kajika
caressed Frankie’s lips with his fingertips, pushing one into his mouth.

Before
Frankie could finish his sentence, his phone buzzed in his pocket, disturbing
him from further thought.

Frankie
grimaced but continued to hold onto Kajika. “Damn! I knew I should’ve switched
this fucking thing off!”

“Ugh!”
Kajika forced himself out of Frankie’s grip and frowned, petulantly crossing
his arms over his chest.

“Should I go to the bedroom and wait for you or expect
to be eating a late night snack alone, watching I Love Lucy re-runs?”

Frankie
glanced at the screen and held his finger up to wait.

Of
course the station was calling to interrupt his special moment. “Hello?”

“Frankie,
Kenie here. I need you in here now, man. Orrin and Vance are on another case,
and I need backup. There’s been a murder near Louis Three again.”

Frankie
cursed silently and shook his head.

“Erg!”
Kajika stomped out of the room, not bothering to look back.

“Seriously?
Goddamnit, I…” Frankie ran his hand over his head, thinking of an excuse not to
go in. “Damn, Kenie, I was trying to enjoy my night off, and low and behold we
gotta case on your first night back.”

Frankie
could hear her grin through the phone. “Yeah, just your dumb luck, huh,
beloved? Come on, boy, don’t make me come and get you, right? I’m sorry I might
be spoiling the evening with your pretty boy lovah, but−”

Frankie
rolled his eyes and sighed, knowing his man would be very upset. “No, you’re really not, but whatever. What’s the
address?”

“Thirty
Seven, Seventeen Orleans is the address. We’ll−”

Frankie’s
eyes bulged, and his heart stopped.

Could it be? Oh hell!

“Kenie, you said a
murder at that address?”

Kenina
cleared her throat. “Yes, sir, can we…”

“I’ll
see you in about twenty.” Frankie’s heart sped up not knowing what the heck to
say to his man who was already upset about their plans being interrupted. Just
how the hell would he say that his fellow dancer might be a victim of murder?

Michael Mandrake pens
complex characters already comfortable with their sexuality. Thorough these, he
builds worlds not centered on erotica but rather the mainstream plots we might
encounter in everyday life through personal experiences or the media. To find
out more please visit http://tabooindeed.blogspot.com.

Author Sharita Lira: In one word, crazy.
Just crazy enough to have 3 different muses running around in her head, driving
her to sheer exhaustion with new plot bunnies and complex characters.

This happily married mother of two
beautiful children loves music, computers, reading, and still enjoys reading
and writing fanfiction. She’s a proud member of the Erotica Readers &
Writers Association, as well as an advocate for rights of LGBT citizens. She’s also a contributor to the heavy metal
ezine Fourteeng.net.

Don't Miss a Single Interview or Giveaway!

Meet the Hostess!

Raine O'Tierney is an M/M romance author who loves celebrating other authors, asking probing questions about dachshunds, and generally supporting the creative process! Plus she thinks hats are worth throwing a party over!